Aces Collide: Rays' McClanahan Meets Dodgers' Ohtani in October Preview Showdown

Aces Collide: Rays' McClanahan Meets Dodgers' Ohtani in October Preview Showdown

This afternoon features a thrilling starting pitching matchup between two Cy Young-caliber aces as Shane McClanahan and the Tampa Bay Rays face off against Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in a potential October preview. The game kicks off at 3:10 p.m. ET, promising an exhilarating showdown. Both teams might be on a collision course for the World Series, reminiscent of their 2020 matchup. The Dodgers, currently the +110 NL favorite, have an advantage, while the Rays sit at +700 to win the AL pennant. Betting Insights: Los Angeles Money Line Alt Under 9.5 Under 1.5 First-Inning Total Runs DraftKings SGP Price: +124 Ohtani, who contributed the only run in a 1-0 victory against the Rays on Tuesday, is aiming for a historic sweep of the NL MVP and Cy Young Awards. Currently, he is the -1600 favorite for the MVP but sits at +1800 for Cy Young, trailing competitors like Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sanchez. In his 11 starts, Ohtani holds a 6-2 record with a 1.06 ERA and 73 strikeouts. However, he has struggled with rhythm while working with new catcher Dalton Rushing, especially after a recent injury. On the other side, McClanahan has rebounded from injuries, showcasing a 3.23 ERA this season. He remains unbeaten at home but has struggled on the road, with a 4.32 ERA. Notably, he has never faced the Dodgers in his career, adding an intriguing twist to this matchup. As both teams gear up, fans can expect a competitive atmosphere as October's stakes loom closer.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-06-17